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| Williams Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya
(L) of Colombia celebrates with Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello of
Brazil on the podium after finishing first and third respectively,
at the 2004 Brazil Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, October 24,
2004.[Reuters] |
Juan Pablo Montoya
left Williams as a winner in Brazil on Sunday, even
if he had hoped for greater things before the season started.
The Colombian had wanted to take the world champion's number one with
him to McLaren next year but that dream was shattered by Ferrari and
Michael Schumacher when the championship was still in its infancy.
Williams had looked in danger of drawing a blank for 2004 until Sunday,
their last win being Montoya's triumph at Hockenheim in August 2003.
They had struggled with the radical-looking 'tusked' car early in the
season, before abandoning the style, and were hit by Ralf Schumacher's
absence through injury for six races over the European summer.
On Sunday, at the closest thing to a home circuit for the driver from
Bogota, Montoya provided the best parting gift he could come up with, his
fourth win for the team.
"It's been four years with Williams, we've had ups, downs and
everything and I think to close those four years with a win is
unbelievable," he said. "I really want to thank Frank (Williams)."
The team, fourth in the championship, was duly grateful. "What a fantastic way to
finish the season," said technical director Sam Michael. "He didn't put a
foot wrong, the pit crew and the engineers got everything right as well.
 "It's been a hard season for us and this is a great reward."
Montoya, fifth in the championship after challenging for the title last
year, could claim his win at Interlagos was personally long overdue as
well.
In 2001, his debut season, the impetuous Colombian pulled a stunning
overtaking move on Michael Schumacher and dominated the race before being
shunted out by Dutchman Jos Verstappen who hit the rear of the Williams
after being lapped.
"It's awesome to finish the season like this," he said after the
Colombian and British national anthems, for the winning constructor, had
been played.
"It really pumps me up for next year and I'm really looking forward to
working with Kimi (Raikkonen) next year. I think the position we are in
for next year could be really strong."
Raikkonen, his future team mate who finished overall runner-up last
season, was second for McLaren at Interlagos.
"I think it was a tough race," said Montoya. "I came into the race
thinking Kimi was going to be the guy that had the chance to win the race.
"Before the race there are always rumors as to who's got more fuel
than whom and when I heard how much fuel -- supposedly -- Kimi had
I thought 'phew, he'll be hard to beat."
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-10-25 16:43